Topping out for £35m Urban Hub
Contractor Truman has reached the highest point of construction on developer Pillars’ 425-apartment student accommodation scheme in Preston.
The construction company appointed by Pillars to lead the development of its flagship project placed the last beam on top of the Urban Hub last week.
The six-storey 160,000 sq ft scheme is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2022. It will contain 425 self-contained studio apartments each with an en-suite bathroom and kitchenette, with communal facilities including a gym, cinema, laundry, library and a landscaped roof terrace.
David Cox Architects is the scheme’s designer. Innov8 Development Solutions is Pillars’ employers agent for the project.
The accommodation is aimed at students and local key workers and is walking distance from the University of Central Lancashire’s Preston campus and the Royal Preston Hospital.
Truman director, David Wheeler said: “The Urban Hub is a huge investment in Preston and demonstrates Pillars’ commitment to supporting the development of the city.
“We believe this flagship scheme will create its own vibrant community, made up of young people and local key workers, and we are so proud to be a part of the team making it a reality.”
DCA director David Cox said the development “has been designed to reflect something of the local cultural heritage and the beauty to be found in the landscape of the north of England”.
He added: “We know the opening is eagerly anticipated by residents, both local and from further afield, and we look forward to progress being made towards fit-out stages and final handover next year.”
Pillars is also taking forward the PR1 development in Preston, securing consent in November 2020 for a four-block scheme comprising 294 flats.
From left: David Wheeler, Truman; Neil Brookfield, Pillars; Mayor of Preston Cllr Javed Iqbal; David Cox, David Cox Architects and Paul Moulding, Innov8. Credit: Pillars
Let’s hope that they are constructing with the correct type of insulation and cladding materials and that construction is completed in accordance with Building Regulations for Fire stopping and the finished building is accepted and signed off by the local Council Planning and Building Control so that the owners will have indemnity cover for the future and avoid any independent Building Control Consultants that might not exist in the longer term future.
By Paul Griffiths